How can we prioritize God's presence in our lives today? Setting the Scene: Priests, the Ark, and the Inner Sanctuary “Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.” (2 Chronicles 5:7) What the Moment Signifies • The ark represented God’s manifest presence and covenant faithfulness. • Placement in the Most Holy Place shows that God desires central, unrivaled residence among His people. • The priests’ careful, obedient carrying of the ark underscores that access to God is on His terms, not ours. Translating Temple Imagery to Daily Life • 1 Corinthians 3:16—“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” • Hebrews 10:19–22 invites believers to “enter the Most Holy Place” by the blood of Jesus. Therefore, prioritizing His presence today means treating our hearts as living sanctuaries and intentionally hosting Him. Making Room: Practical Steps to Give God the Inner Sanctuary 1. Remove rivals – Exodus 20:3 warns against other “gods” occupying His place. – Regularly assess time, entertainment, relationships, ambitions. Anything that steals affection from Christ must be displaced. 2. Keep holy habits in place – Daily Word intake (Psalm 1:2; Matthew 4:4). – Consistent prayer (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). 3. Choose obedience over convenience – John 14:23: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” 4. Gather with God’s people – Corporate worship mirrors Israel’s procession (Hebrews 10:24–25). – Unity invites His glory (2 Chronicles 5:13–14). Cultivating Continual Awareness • Practice moment-by-moment conversation with Him—acknowledge His nearness while driving, working, resting. • Memorize verses that spotlight His presence (Psalm 16:11; James 4:8). Recite them aloud. • Journal daily evidences of God’s nearness; thanksgiving sensitizes the heart. Guarding the Sanctuary • Confess sin promptly (1 John 1:9). Unconfessed sin hinders fellowship just as defilement barred priests from ministry. • Choose holiness in media, speech, and relationships (1 Peter 1:15–16). • Invite accountability—trusted believers who will speak truth in love (Proverbs 27:17). Living as Mobile Arks • Carry His presence into workplaces, schools, and homes, revealing His character through kindness, integrity, and bold witness (Matthew 5:14–16). • Serve the needy; God’s presence often meets us in acts of mercy (Isaiah 58:6–9). Quick Reference Checklist □ Daily Scripture & prayer time set? □ Any competing idols identified and removed? □ Regular fellowship and worship attended? □ Sin confessed swiftly? □ Acts of love and witness planned? Final Encouragement Just as the priests placed the ark at the center, so we deliberately enthrone Christ in every compartment of life. Prioritizing His presence is not an occasional event but a daily procession of obedience and adoration that turns ordinary moments into holy ground. |
    |